19-Year-Old Travis Braden Scores Convincing JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Win At Berlin Raceway
Breaks Track Record to Start Off His Dominating Performance in West Michigan
June 14, 2013
Marne, Michigan (June 14, 2013) – It was Day II of the Inaugural Battle at Berlin Weekend at the famed 7/16s (0.437) mile semi-banked paved oval of Berlin Raceway, located west of Grand Rapids in Marne, Michigan as the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance highlighted the evening with the fourth race of the 2013 racing season; the Berlin 100 Presented by Boyne Machine Company & JEGS.com.
19-year-old Travis Braden, the 2012 ARCA/CRA Super Series Rookie of the Year took advantage of extra track time in preparation for the Inaugural Battle at Berlin 251 for the ARCA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS to be held the next night as the Wheeling, West Virginia native in his #01 West Virginia University / Chevrolet put on a dominating display of driving as he broke the Track Record in Boyne Machine Qualifying and then took the lead on lap seven and pulled away to a dominating win, his second career JEGS/CRA triumph.
"This car was absolutely flawless tonight. I can't thank this whole team enough for giving me the best car I have ever driven," The elated driver stated in victory lane. "The car was absolutely flying tonight. I could put it anywhere I wanted too and pass lapped traffic anywhere I needed too. I couldn't believe how well this car was. We're pretty sure we're going to park the (ARCA/CRA) Super Series car and run this tomorrow in the 251."He added.
Braden's night started off the best way possible as the Mountaineer State driver sporting the colors of his college that he attends (West Virginia University) broke the track record over the 32-car field in Boyne Machine Qualifying. He then drew the minimum inversion of a three (3) which placed Budweiser Super Late Model Series (Berlin Raceway's Template Bodied Series) regulars, Chris Koslek and another 19-year-old, Seth Moody on the front row of the 26-car starting field.
Moody would beat Koslek to the first corner to grab the early lead, however Braden wasted no time from his inside second row starting spot and quickly got by Moody and set his sights on Moody for the top spot. On lap seven, Braden made his move and cleared Moody coming out of turn two to take the lead he would never relinquish the rest of the night. Braden opened up as much as a half a track lead on the rest of the field as he darted inside and outside of traffic to keep Moody and Koslek safely behind him. Not even restarts for six cautions that flew as well as one red flag.
Justin Ryan, the 2012 Berlin Super Stocks Track Champion, was the reason for the most serious incident of the evening on lap 36 as he went flying off of turn three and landed in the series of foam barriers and highway dividers that separate the track from the woods that line turns three and four. He was ok, but the car was destroyed and he was done for the evening.
Koslek would eventually be able to get by Moody on lap 64 and tried in vain to reel in the race long leader, but Braden was strong all night and after all was said and done, Braden, who had one JEGS/CRA triumph already on his resume when he scored the win back on October 15th, 2011 at Winchester Speedway during that seasons Winchester 400 weekend, added another important win to his resume at another historic track, this time in Marne, Michigan.
"They thought they [the other front runners] had something for us, but I hadn't even put it all on the table tonight." Continued Braden as he stood next to his winning machine clutching the JEGS/CRA Winners trophy. "We came up here this weekend with the goal of sweeping the entire weekend. I know it's a pretty lofty goal, especially here at Berlin and with all these strong competitors here this weekend for both races, but if we're anything like we were tonight in the 251 tomorrow, it's very possible." He ended.
Coming home in second place, a career high in his limited JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance starts was Grand Rapids, Michigan native, Chris Koslek. "I can't thank the guys enough for all there help this weekend. We fought a tight race car all night long tonight. We were fast this afternoon, but just way too tight at night to have anything for Travis (Braden)." The 26-year-old said. "We're happy though. This was a strong field here tonight and to come out of here second is real good for us." He added.
Making his first career JEGS/CRA start was 2012 Kalamazoo Speedway Outlaw Super Late Models Track Champion, Brian Bergakker who made the most of his debut as he finished on the podium in third in his #99 4J Trucking / Ford earning the first Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Award of the night. "These cars are quite a bit different than what I'm used to with running an Outlaw car." Stated the 33-year-old who resides in near-by Lowell, Michigan. "You can really drive these cars pretty deep into the corner which took some getting used to, but tonight was a lot of fun and I hope we're able to run a few more of these shows later this year." He added.
A pair of Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie of the Year title contenders posted career high finishes as 17-year-old Kyle Crump, who qualified fifth fastest over the 32-car field, backed that up with an impressive fourth and earning the Howe Racing Enterprises Rookie of the Race Award for his efforts over 15-year-old Corey Deuser who completed the top five and with his career high showing, takes over the Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie of the Year points lead. The fourth different freshman in four races to do so.
Dan Leeck brought home a sixth place finish and pulled himself into an tie for the Overall Points Lead with 17-year-old Cody Coughlin who struggled to a 24th place finish as Jerrod Foley finished seventh from 19th, Tom Woodin from 21st earning him the second Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Award, 14-year-old Rookie Jake Griffin from 18th and Josh Hobson would complete the top 10. 14-year-old Kody Evans picked up the Five Star Racecar Bodies Hard-Charger Award after starting 26th, he finished in 12th.
Braden's first career Boyne Machine Fast Qualifier Award over the 32-car field that was a 16.233 which was 0.125 seconds better than Brandon Hermiller's old mark of a 16.358 set back on September 10th, 2011 and he beat second fast qualifier, Moody by an impressive 0.274 seconds in time trials. Jimmy Novak would win the 15-Lap Last Chance Race over Robbie Johnson who barely edged Phil Bozell at the line for second place. Bozell and Evans finished in the top four to transfer into the main.
The JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance is back in action with the fifth race of the 2013 racing season at another historic speed plant, this time the famed 0.555 mile high-banked paved oval of Salem Speedway, located north of Louisville, Kentucky in Salem, Indiana on Saturday, June 22nd for the running of the Touchtone Energy 100 Presented by Focus Eyewear & JEGS.com.
For more information about all four touring series’ within Champion Racing Association Powered by JEGS, please check out the website located at: www.cra-racing.com You can also follow CRA on Facebook at: www.facebook.com and search for "Champion Racing Association" as well as Twitter at www.twitter.com/CRAracing Finally for more information about Salem Speedway, host track for the fifth JEGS/CRA event of the year, log on at: www.salemspeedway.com
